But, Newton, tell me all about your voyage, and the action with the French ships." Newton entered into a detail, during which he perceived by his father's questions that his memory had become more impaired, and that he was more absent than ever.

He arranged to call upon his uncle the ensuing day; and then it was his intention, without communicating it to his father, to make every inquiry and advertise to ascertain the fate of his mother.

This was a duty which he had long wished to repeat; but his necessities and want of time had hitherto precluded the renewal of the task.
Early the next morning, Newton and his father went up to London by the Greenwich coach; and a walk of a few minutes after they were put down brought them to the chambers of Mr John Forster.
"How do you do, Mr Scratton?
Is my uncle at home ?" inquired Newton.
Mr Scratton immediately recognised him, and very graciously replied, that his uncle was at home and would be very glad to see him, having talked very often of him lately.
Newton and his father were ushered into the parlour, where he found his uncle precisely in the same position as when he last saw him;--it would almost have appeared that he had not quitted his seat during Newton's tedious voyage.
"Nephew," said Mr John Forster, without rising from his chair, "I am very glad to see you .-- Brother Nicholas, I am very glad to see you too .-- Chairs, Scratton," continued the old lawyer, taking his watch off the table, and placing it in his fob.

"Well, nephew, I am very glad to hear such good accounts of you.

I saw Mr Bosanquet yesterday, and he told me that you had for your good conduct been promoted to the rank of second mate." "It is more than I am aware of," replied Newton, much pleased with the information.